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Public Safety
APD announces partial release of mandated data dashboard
The Austin Police Department will transition the chief’s monthly report from a PDF format to an online dashboard complete with explanations and definitions available through the city’s open data portal. The planned dashboard release date is Jan. 18, according to…
Police • By Emma Freer • Jan 11, 2024
Virtual magistration pilot now just a 'trial'
The Austin Public Safety Commission on Monday tabled a resolution aimed at stopping or postponing a proposed pilot program that would eliminate Travis County from the process of magistration for people arrested by Austin officers, including pretrial services. Commissioners learned…
Police • By Jo Clifton • Jan 10, 2024
Commission questions what Central Health is doing to address persistent disparities in health access
The Austin/Travis County Public Health Commission heard key findings of Central Health’s 2022 Demographic Report at its regular meeting on Jan. 3. Central Health updated the report in February 2023, finding that Austin’s high cost of living and affordability crisis…
Public Health • By Nina Hernandez • Jan 9, 2024
Requests for abortion pills surged amid threats to reproductive rights, UT-based study shows
Advance requests for abortion medication surged when the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked, a new study has found. The study in JAMA Internal Medicine looked at requests for the abortion medications mifepristone and misoprostol from the telemedicine service…
Public Health • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Jan 8, 2024
Report: APD investigated 47 out of 689 complaints against its officers
Austinites voted overwhelmingly last year to expand the Office of Police Oversight’s authority. Implementing the Austin Police Oversight Act, however, has proven challenging. The office recently faced criticism from the Public Safety Commission over its lack of progress on this…
Police • By Emma Freer • Dec 22, 2023
Austin police officer indicted for fatally shooting tech entrepreneur Raj Moonesinghe in 2022
A Travis County grand jury indicted an Austin police officer for fatally shooting a South Austin man while on duty last year. Daniel Sanchez was indicted on a count of deadly conduct for killing 33-year-old Raj Moonesinghe in November 2022.…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Dec 21, 2023
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Three Council members call for Middle East cease-fire
Responding to calls from the community seeking a City Council resolution supporting a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, Council members Vanessa Fuentes, Zo Qadri and José Velásquez released a statement Thursday calling for peace. The statement reads: “Whether it be…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Dec 15, 2023
Police union leadership says oversight lawsuit further stalls labor contract negotiations
After nearly a year without a police labor contract, city leadership has signaled its hope for – and taken steps toward – a new agreement in early 2024. But incoming Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock says recent developments, including…
Police • By Emma Freer • Dec 15, 2023
Renewed cooperation eliminates backlog of sexual assault evidence kits
After years of discord, the team created to improve Travis County’s response to sexual assault is back to collaborating, team members told the Commissioners Court Tuesday, and a backlog of untested evidence kits has been processed. Spurred by state law…
Police • By Ken Chambers • Dec 15, 2023
Austin hasn't allowed more police oversight, despite voter approval. Now it's getting sued.
A lawsuit in a Travis County court aims to force Austin’s hand in rolling out a voter-backed plan to increase police oversight. Austin voters approved Proposition A in May by a four-to-one margin. The measure, known as the Austin Police Oversight Act, roundly…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Dec 11, 2023
County emphasizes winter safety awareness
As Travis County officials detailed plans and preparations for the next big winter storm, some said that the public might not be taking the threat seriously enough. On Tuesday, leaders from the Office of Emergency Management, Transportation and Natural Resources,…
Public Safety • By Ken Chambers • Dec 8, 2023
Public Safety Commission pushes for full implementation of police oversight measures
The Public Safety Commission chided the Office of Police Oversight for its lack of communication and progress regarding the implementation of the Austin Police Oversight Act and a related ordinance enacting some of the act’s provisions. “It’s now December, and…
